BILL W. & DR. BOB Returns to Minneapolis, 3/13-4/6

BILL W. & DR. BOB makes its third appearance on the Illusion stage in an updated production - new leads, a new design (set & lighting) and original music composed and played by Roberta Carlson - before embarking on a statewide tour. Bill W. & Dr. Bob, the remarkable, humorous and true story set around the lives and-more importantly-the friendship of Bill W. (Jim Cunningham) and Dr. Bob (Stephen D'Ambrose), is at the Illusion in March for a limited-run engagement, and tours Minnesota March 13-April 6.

A universal human story of the dangers of isolation and the healing power of fellowship, Bill W. & Dr. Bob is told with passion, humor and authenticity. In 1929, New York stockbroker Bill Wilson crashes with the stock market and becomes a hopeless drunk. Dr. Bob Smith, a surgeon from Ohio, has also been an alcoholic for 30 years, often going into the operating room with a hangover. Through an astonishing series of events, Bill and Bob meet and form a relationship, helping to keep each other sober.

Directed by Illusion Theater's Michael Robins, this is the amazing and often amusing account of the two men who pioneered Alcoholics Anonymous. The talented cast includes Carolyn Pool as Bill's wife, Lois Wilson, and Laura Esping as Bob's wife, Anne Smith, the two women who founded Al Anon, as well as Michael Paul Levin and Kate Guentzel who play all the other men and women in the story of the founding of A.A.

A facilitated audience discussion will follow each performance of Bill W. & Dr. Bob. Tickets for the play and post-show discussion are $18-32 and can be purchased by calling 612-339-4944 or online at www.illusiontheater.org. Sunday evening performances are Pay What You Can.

This work does not imply affiliation with nor approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

ILLUSION THEATER PERFORMANCES
Friday, March 8 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, March 9 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, March 10 @ 7:00pm - Pay What You Can
Friday, March 15 @ 8:00PM
Saturday, March 16 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, March 17 @ 7:00pm - Pay What You Can
Saturday, March 23 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, March 24 @ 7:00pm - Pay What You Can
Wednesday, March 27 @ 10:00am
Wednesday, March 27 @ 8:00pm
Friday, March 29 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, March 30 @ 8:00pm

MINNESOTA TOUR DATES
Mankato
March 13 @ 2pm & 7:30pm
MSU Ostrander Auditorium

Fairbault
March 14 @ 7:30pm
Shattuck-St. Mary's

Wabasso
March 22 @ 7:30pm
Wabasso High School

Austin
March 28 @ 7:30pm
Paramount Theatre

Blue Earth
April 4 @ 7:00pm
Blue Earth High School

Brainerd
April 5 @ 7:30pm
Brainerd Community College

Fergus Falls
April 6 @ 7:30pm
Fergus Falls Center for the Arts

Bill Wilson (Jim Cunningham) and Dr. Bob Smith (Stephen D'Ambrose) in Illusion Theater's production of BILL W. & DR. BOB.
Photo Credit: Lauren B. Photography

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